What is a Mastectomy?

Women who are faced with breast cancer surgery in Reading, PA usually will undergo a procedure that falls into one of five different categories of mastectomy.  Unlike a lumpectomy, a mastectomy involves the removal of an entire breast, rather than just the cancerous cells. There are five different types of mastectomy breast cancer surgery. Reading, PA surgeons will advise patients which type she will be undertaking as well as prognosis.

1. Simple or total. Focusing on breast tissue, the surgeon surgically amputates the entire breast. Lymph nodes under the arm remain intact and no muscular tissue is taken. Patients who are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma usually benefit from this procedure, as well as women who desire to have a mastectomy in order to prevent breast cancer from occurring.

2. Radical. More comprehensive than other forms of breast cancer surgery performed in Reading, PA, the entire breast is removed as well as the first three levels of lymph nodes in the underarm area. The chest wall muscles beneath the breast are also excised. Although more common in the past, this treatment is only performed for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer cells in the chest wall muscles. It is not recommended otherwise, since it can be radically disfiguring and is otherwise unnecessary.

3. Modified radical. The breast tissue is complete extricated in this procedure as well as the first two levels of the lymph nodes in the armpit area. Underlying breast muscles remain intact. This is a common form of breast cancer surgery in Reading, PA.
4. Partial. Somewhat similar to a lumpectomy, more tissue is excised in a partial mastectomy. The goal, however, is similar, which is to remove only the cancerous tissue as well as some of the healthy tissue surrounding it.

5. Subcutaneous. Known as a “nipple-sparing” procedure, the breast tissue is excised, but the nipple is preserved. Somewhat controversial, subcutaneous breast cancer surgery can be used in conjunction with surgical reconstruction of the breast, although some doctors report that it can lead to distortion and numbed nipples.

Surgeons in Reading, PA will disclose and discuss all the options available to patients facing a mastectomy, with the possible exception of the subcutaneous procedure due to its controversial nature. Women who ask questions and fully discuss their concerns before approaching surgery usually have more realistic expectations and are happier with the outcome once the surgical procedure has successfully removed cancer cells from the affected breast. Various forms of reconstructive surgery have also been successful in restoring patient confidence and self-esteem after a mastectomy.